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The baking soda should work or another thing that may work is straight vinegar. Pretty much any stone counter can stain relatively easily and there are a few preventative measures that can be taken to avoid stains and keep it looking new. They are as follows:

• Do not use any kind of abrasive cleanser to prevent scratching.
• Do not use any type of scrubbing sponge or steel wool to prevent scratching.
• Use an all purpose cleaner with a soft damp cloth to gently wipe down and clean
• Always keep wet when cleaning it.
• To remove dull appearance, polish it with a countertop wax
• A product like Barkeeper's Friend or Zud, which when made into a paste with water and left to set, will dissolve rust or mineral stains. Let set, use a damp cleaning rag and some elbow grease. Repeat applications may be necessary depending upon severity.

• In general you should make a paste of some kind. If your cleaning agent is not already in a paste form, then add your cleaning chemical to some Baking Soda to make the paste. Apply the paste to the stain and cover with plastic wrap and tape down the edges to keep the moisture in. Leave it overnight, then rinse off and buff the surface.

• Stains that are permanent and will not remove with the above methods may require the countertops to be refinished, which involves sanding the entire surface down, removing the stains and then sealing with a wax for protection.

• General stain removal methods:

  Hard water stains: Straight vinegar

  Grease or oil stains: Whiting with acetone

  Food stains: Hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia

  Rust stains: Liquid rust remover or oxalic acid

 

 

 

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Best of Luck, Brian

 

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Expert:	Brian
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Answered:	7/20/2009

Architect

Licensed Architect- 12 years, L.E.E.D. AP, Former Remodeling Contractor- 10 years